18 May 2013 by Donna Uning CM –
“Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever,” exclaimed Ps Petra Zulkarnain Shariff to the church at Christ Baptist Church, Kota Sentosa here. Ps Zul, as many called him, from Pontianak, Indonesia, was in Kuching again since he last visited the church in March 2013.
Ps Petra Zulkarnain Shariff from Pontianak, Indonesia
Ps Zul, preaching from Luke 8: 26-39 about the demon-possessed man, told, “This is an illustration of a person who doesn’t know God.” He is naked, has no self-respect, and not wanted.
“When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.” Luke 8: 27
“When a person does not know Jesus, he lives in sin and in humiliation. If you know Jesus, you will change,” he said.
“These are the characteristics of people who don’t know God. These people are tied to the power of darkness, and do not live in a house,” he continued, saying a house meant there was no social place. His life is not good, wild and improper.
“Humans are like that. When you know the Word of God, you are not easily fooled,” he said. Tomb means a dead person, emptiness. The characteristics of a person who does not know God have emptiness, frustration and meaningless lives.
People with these experiences do not necessary mean that they do not know Jesus, but this only means that they do not have a personal relationship with God. “I hope this is not any of you here,” he said. “Jesus is always with you; even though you have problems.”
“For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.” Luke 8: 29
The man was chained; this means that the person is plagued with sickness, poverty, or marriage failures.
“When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.” Luke 8:33
For illustration sake, if there were 10,000 demons in legion, one adult pig probably holds 10-20 demons. Piglets won’t hold that many compared to a 100 kg pig. “Consider how many and how much these pigs costs to be drowned; humans are that much more valuable to God,” he told. “Jesus died for you, you are worthy.”
“Don’t look down on yourself. We are vessels for His glory. Our God given potential is already deposited in us, it is in us,” he said. Jesus came to give us life abundantly. Ps Zul continued with testimonies of people whom he met who are blessed when they discovered their God given talents.
Dancing with the praise and worship team after the service
“These are available for those who know Him. In Him, there’s power, on earth as it is in heaven,” he said. Jesus is perfect, and He makes us perfect.
Ps Zul also shared his life miracles, having undergone heart problems and a bypass in 2010. “I’m not afraid to die; I worry for my children and my young wife. I know I will go to heaven,” he told, saying if we were in his situation, we would probably think the same way.
“He is our healer!” he proclaimed, upon receiving a clean bill of health. “Nothing is impossible for God!”
“and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured.” Luke 8:35-36
The man is now dressed, he is mentally stable. Ps Zul gave examples of people using drugs to ‘feel happy.’ Satan is in most entertainment places, attracting those who are empty. “Drugs give short term happiness, but then they become empty again.” Here, God reveals his sin, so the man sin no more.
In verse 38, “The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away.”
His spirit now wants to serve God. God doesn’t see our background. Do you want to be used by Jesus?
Buffet at Christ Baptist Church
“I’m so blessed. Even in small situations, God is always there,” he said. Don’t doubt!
“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12: 24-28
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!”
Earlier, the church had a sumptuous buffet served before the meeting. “The food overflowed,” Ps Zul gathered, reminding that there were many beggars and homeless people out there. “Surely they are not Christians.”
“God wants to bless you hundredfold,” he concluded, reminding that ten percent belongs to the Lord. “Your health, finances, they belong to the Lord!”
After the message, Ps Zul called the church for prayer and healing. Ps Zul preached in Indonesian. Christ Baptist Church, Kota Sentosa services are mainly conducted in Iban. The gathering saw many people from various churches and denominations at the church.
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